News, 6/28/2013

Finland is a constructive, influential and cooperative EU country

Finland's EU policy is based on an idea of a constructive, cooperative Finland which is eager to exert its influence. Finland supports the further European integration but emphasises the importance of national responsibility. Prime Minister Jyrki Katainen presented the new Government Report on EU Policy to Parliament of Finland in June.

"Economic problems that many countries are facing threaten to destabilise societies and add to the sense of injustice felt by many. Youth unemployment, in particular, threatens to exclude hundreds of thousands of people permanently. Difficulties in Member States affect the whole of Europe. These problems can be solved, however, through national and European-level measures," Prime Minister Katainen said.

In the report, the Government lists a number of practical-level development areas to be prioritised by Finland in the next few years. These include:

respect of values and rules

the promotion of competitiveness, employment and the social dimension

strengthening of the Economic and Monetary Union

common energy policy and mitigation of climate change

guaranteeing the free mobility of people

strengthening of the EU's external action

enlargement.

“A stronger, more unified and fairer Union would best serve the interests of Finland and its citizens", Prime Minister Katainen said in Parliament which will continue its deliberation on the report in autumn.